Im very new to the use of SLR cameras and amateur photography in general. I am hoping this isnt a silly question. Can you use lenses from an analogue camera on a digital SLR camera?
The main exception which immediately comes to mind is the Canon manual focussing lenses with the Canon EOS systems, which also includes their digital cameras. Nikon was much more user friendly when they created their autofocus system so in their case, almost every 35 mm lens they have ever made will work (although there are a few stray exceptions -being a Canon shooter, I can't tell you which ones)
Also, Sigma is not supporting their old 500 mm lens design for digital bodies, so if you see one cheap, it may be because the chips are not compatible with digital cameras.
Let us know what you are considering, although it will probably be fine.
When I went digital a year ago, my Sigma lenses (canon fit) did not work properly with the canon 10D. Some lenses can be re-chipped depending on age, but I had to replace all of my lenses, which were approximately 10 yr old. Be careful. When I initially tried them, they seemed to work, but it was an intermittent problem - sometimes with autofocus not working, but more seriously, the camera would simply switch off and give an error message.
In the case of Nikons, some AIS lenses will not meter properly (and are manual focus anyway). Most Nikon AF lenses will work with the newer digital cameras.
The exceptions that Alex mentioned would be if a new 'digital' lens does not have a large enough image circle to cover a 35mm film area (since the digital sensors are smaller - thus the 'crop factor' of digital cameras).
I currently have a Nikon F65. Was thinking of updating to either a Nikon D50 or even a Canon EOS 350D. Any suggestions on which is the better camera out of the two?
Actually Meagan, the best way to think about the body that you will buy is based on the whole system (lenses and bodies). It also depends what you are planning to shoot. Right away you get an extra 2 MP from the Canon. This gives you a little bit of cropping room right away, if you are shooting wildlife or something like that.
The body that you buy will last you a few years, but lenses will last far longer, this is why you want to look at the whole system. Either one will give you good service, it just depends where you feel more comfortable. I am a Nikon shooter, but feel that the Canon woul do very well for you. One thing to think about is that many avian (bird) photographers use Canon, since they have more lenses (especially long lenses) with image stabilization.
Not to start a Canon vs. Nikon war, but it seems that Canon releases more innovative products faster and more frequently than Nikon, where Nikon lags behind a bit. I would like to think that means they are working out more bugs...but I am not sure on that; just hopeful.
Since you are leaning towards Canon, you should not have a problem using any EOS lens with the new digital bodies. If you start looking at third party manufacturers (Sigma, Tokina and Tamron), test a used lens before you buy, or buy a new. Except for the Sigma 500, I quite honestly don't know their older model's compatibility with the current digital bodies.
There is some backwards compatibility with the EOS. Just to be clear, there are 3-4 lenses which were specifically designed for the 1.6 cropping factors in the lower end models and these lenses are basically not suitable for film bodies. But since you are going the other direction (film to digital), this should not be an issue.
There are a few current manual focus lens in the Canon lineup, the 24 mm TS, 45 mm TS, 90 mm TS and 65 mm 1x-5x macro, but again, these are EOS lenses and should work fine with the current digital bodies. These are fairly specialized lenses so I don't think you'll be looking at them.
Avoid any Canon lens with the "FD" designation. These are the older non-EOS lenses. Great equipment, but they won't even mount to the EOS body. (Yeah, yeah, there are ways around this but let's not go there).
For the 350D vs D70, these are comparable models. They both have their strengths and weaknesses, but you won't go wrong with either selection. As someone above mentioned, look at the entire line of lenses and accessories as well. They are both great systems.
Discussion
9 repliesAlso, Sigma is not supporting their old 500 mm lens design for digital bodies, so if you see one cheap, it may be because the chips are not compatible with digital cameras.
Let us know what you are considering, although it will probably be fine.
JG
Good luck
Ian
Ian
The exceptions that Alex mentioned would be if a new 'digital' lens does not have a large enough image circle to cover a 35mm film area (since the digital sensors are smaller - thus the 'crop factor' of digital cameras).
Nathan
The body that you buy will last you a few years, but lenses will last far longer, this is why you want to look at the whole system. Either one will give you good service, it just depends where you feel more comfortable. I am a Nikon shooter, but feel that the Canon woul do very well for you. One thing to think about is that many avian (bird) photographers use Canon, since they have more lenses (especially long lenses) with image stabilization.
Not to start a Canon vs. Nikon war, but it seems that Canon releases more innovative products faster and more frequently than Nikon, where Nikon lags behind a bit. I would like to think that means they are working out more bugs...but I am not sure on that; just hopeful.
Hope this helps.
Nathan
There is some backwards compatibility with the EOS. Just to be clear, there are 3-4 lenses which were specifically designed for the 1.6 cropping factors in the lower end models and these lenses are basically not suitable for film bodies. But since you are going the other direction (film to digital), this should not be an issue.
There are a few current manual focus lens in the Canon lineup, the 24 mm TS, 45 mm TS, 90 mm TS and 65 mm 1x-5x macro, but again, these are EOS lenses and should work fine with the current digital bodies. These are fairly specialized lenses so I don't think you'll be looking at them.
Avoid any Canon lens with the "FD" designation. These are the older non-EOS lenses. Great equipment, but they won't even mount to the EOS body. (Yeah, yeah, there are ways around this but let's not go there).
For the 350D vs D70, these are comparable models. They both have their strengths and weaknesses, but you won't go wrong with either selection. As someone above mentioned, look at the entire line of lenses and accessories as well. They are both great systems.